Vocab List 2

Abate (v.)

To become less intense or widespread; to reduce the severity of

Abridge (v.)

To shorten; condense; truncate

Abstruse (adj.)

Hard to understand; puzzling; enigmatic

Abysmal (adj.)

Appallingly bad; severe; dreadful

Accede (v.)

To agree to; to comply with; to accept

Accolade (n.)

An award, approval; praise

Adamant (adj.)

Refusing to be persuaded; resolute; unwavering

Affectation (n.)

Behavior or speech used to impress

Affidavit (n.)

A sworn written statement

Albeit (conjunction - a joining word)

Although

Allay (v.)

To put at ease; to relieve; to alleviate

Aloof (adj.)

Unfriendly; distant and detached from others; standoffish

Amendable (adj.)

Agreeable; open and receptive to suggestion

Anathema (n.)

Something hated or despised

Arraign (v.)

To bring the accused before a judge to enter a plea

Aspersion (n.)

An attack on ones reputation or integrity

Assuage (v.)

To sooth; to lessen; to make less severe

Atrophy (v.)

To wither away; to become weak

Awry (adj.)

Deviating from the planned course of actions: amiss

Badger (v.)

To annoy, harass, persistently; pester

Beleaguered (adj.)

Plagued with difficulties; beset with troubles

Belittle (v.)

To make someone/something seem unimportant (pooh-pooh)

Blather (v. & n.)

To talk nonsensically and very long in: long winded talk

Bucolic (adj.)

Rural and rustic in nature; country like